Recon Report — Saturday, 27 September 1941

Observations

DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE.
RECONNAISSANCE REPORT.
Sheet No. .............
ROYAL AIR FORCE
Date 27. 9. 41
Ref. No. 25
Unit: 21 Squadron.
Aircraft Type Martin Maryland
Serial No. 1659
Orders or nature of duty:— ATTACK BOMB TARGET "A" AT BARDIA
Map or Chart Reference :— 1:500000 Matruh and Tobruk
Pilot Maj. Britz
Crew 2/Lt. Wolhuter
Sgts. Earnshaw and Petterson
Time up 0615
Time down 0855
Total time 2. 40.
Visibility. Good
Weather. 1/10 cloud
Sea Reconnaissance only.
Wind
Direction ............. °True
Speed at ............. feet knots/m.p.h.
*Cross out term not applicable.
| Place | Time (Hrs.) | Height (Feet) | Report | Track (True) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 021 | 0615 | - | A.B. C/O for Ras Kanayis | 304° |
| Ras Kanayis | 0635 | 4000' | 1 Medium ship 8 miles North Ras Kanayis. Moving East | 292° |
| Mersa Matruh | 0657 | 12000' | 4 Cruisers 6 miles North Mersa Matruh, moving South East | |
| | | 5 Fighter Aircraft seen patrolling over ships | | |
| Gulf of Salum | 0717 | 20000 | 3 ships moving East attacked by bombers. 7 bomb explosions observed. ships altering course. Position of ships 40 miles North East Bardia. Observed bomber flying low over water | 280° |
| 0725 | | Alter course for Coast at Merou 50 [?] miles. | 185° | |
| BARDIA | 0735 | 22000 | Over Coast 10 miles North Bardia | 170° |
| 0743 | 20000 | Attack Target | | |
| | | Only very few scattered M.T. observed | 207° | |
| 0748 | 20000 | C/O Bir Sheffraon | 135° | |
| 0752 | 20000 | Altered course | 092° | |
| 0830 | 15000 | Altered course for 021 | | |
| 0855 | | Landed 021 | | |
signed 2/Lt. Wolhuter, Meyer and Meintjies
P.T.O.
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Wt. 40173/3807. 300,000. 1/40. H.T.C. 51/5829.

Transcriber's Notes

Phase 2: Technical Expansion (The "Transcriber's Notes")
Glossary of Terms
* 21 SQUADRON S.A.A.F.: No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force. During September 1941, the unit was based at Landing Ground 021 in Egypt and functioned as a light/medium bomber force within the Western Desert Air Force.
* A.B. C/O: Airborne, on course.
* BA-BH (MARTIN BALTIMORE): A twin-engine medium bomber manufactured by Glenn L. Martin. While 21 Squadron later operated this type extensively, at the time of this 1941 report, they utilized the Martin Maryland (Serial No. 1659), the direct technical and operational precursor to the Baltimore in S.A.A.F. service.
* BIR SHEFFRAON: A tactical navigational waypoint or desert well located in North Africa used for course corrections.
* M.T.: Motor Transport (wheeled vehicles).
* MC/GP (MEDIUM CAPACITY / GENERAL PURPOSE): The classification for standard Allied high-explosive demolition bombs. During the strike portion of this sortie, the squadron utilized 250 lb G.P. munitions.
* MET: Meteorological data or section. The report cites "Good" visibility and minimal 1/10 cloud cover.
* RAS KANAYIS: A coastal headland in Egypt serving as a significant departure point and navigational fix for aircraft heading west toward the Libyan frontier.
Operational Context
Target File 272_33 is a Reconnaissance Report (R.A.F. Form 401) documenting a high-level strike against Target "A" at Bardia on 27th September 1941. The strategic significance of Bardia centered on its role as a fortified logistical hub for Axis supply lines; Target "A" specifically comprised stores dumps vital for Rommel's Panzergruppe Afrika. Neutralizing these caches was a core Allied objective to degrade Axis mobile reserves prior to the launch of Operation Crusader.
The mission, piloted by Maj. Britz in Maryland 1659, provided critical tactical intelligence regarding Axis naval movements. The crew identified four cruisers moving southeast off Mersa Matruh under a protective umbrella of five fighters, and witnessed a separate bomber attack on three ships heading east 40 miles northeast of Bardia. These maritime observations provided the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) precursor units with real-time data on Axis efforts to reinforce the frontier.
Execution Constraints
The mission was conducted at a high altitude, reaching a ceiling of 22,000 feet at the target coast. Favorable MET conditions (1/10 cloud) permitted visual aiming during the attack at 07:43 hours. Despite the high altitude, the observer noted only "very few scattered M.T." in the immediate vicinity of the target, suggesting Axis logistical dispersal in response to Allied air superiority. The total sortie lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes, concluding with a landing at Landing Ground 021. The signature section includes 2/Lt. Wolhuter, Meyer, and Meintjies, indicating a consolidated report for the three-aircraft flight.

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Phase 1: Verification & Extraction
Identity Check: 27. 9. 41.